DATABASE
MEDICINE
 
INTRODUCTION
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease condition that the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert glucose, carbohydrates and others into energy needed for daily life. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes causing blood sugar levels higher than normal, but their mechanisms causing diabetes are different. Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) is attributed from the inability of the pancreas to produce the hormone insulin. It happens probably because the person's own immune system jeopardizes the insulin producing cells in the pancreas. However, Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes or adult-onset diabetes) are due to the inability of human body to respond to insulin normally, even though they produce insulin. The cause of diabetes (II) is yet to be elucidated in detail, even though there are data suggesting that both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise may play roles.

Information & Current Research

As mentioned, type-I diabetes may not be unavoidable, if the genetic factors are involved and insulin producing cells are already damaged beyond natural repair. However, Type 2 diabetes do not occur in same type and age of diabetic patient, meaning onset and progress of the disease are variable depending on how subjects lead their life style. Therefore, the major risk factors leading to type-II diabetes are probably age, race, obesity, physical inactivity and an unbalanced diet. A lot of preventive and treatment choices are available for minimizing the risk factors of Diabetes and its related disease.

In practical and nutritional perspectives, there are a couple of things you can do.

* Check your blood sugar levels.

* Maintain your body weight at healthy levels (e.g., check your BMI index) via adopting a balanced and healthy diet (e.g., herb, fruits, vegetables, nuts ).

* Participate in routine physical work out (at least 15- 30 min daily).

An example of bio-active compounds investigated in Dr. Park's laboratory

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